regurgitation in mitral and tricuspid valves????

[nancywyg]

My first time here.  I had a Cardiovascular screening last week, and everything came back fine, except there were, "yes's" next to mitral, and tricuspid regurgitation.  Over the years I have been told several things.  In my 20's I was told by obe doctor that I had a "hole in my heart", and then by another to "forget" that I ever heard that!  In my 20's while pregnant, I had a chest x-ray which showed an enlarged heart. It was never mentioned again.  I have a lot of stress and anxiety a lot of the time.  A self-admitted hypochondria, I have run to doctor's, and clinics, and even hospitals over the years with symptoms that I was sure would kill me!!!!!!!  Every ekg I have had, was normal....until last month.  I was having irregular heartbeats, even though I take a beta-blocker/diuretic combo.  The ekg showed that I may have had a heart attack at some time.  I freaked out, and the doctor said that she did not trust the machine, and it was probably qwrong anyway.  Not a good enough explanation for this old gal!!! I went to a walk in clinic, and did not tell them about the ekg that I had done a week before.  The ekg they gave me never mentioned any heart attack, but came back, "abnormal", and inconclusive.  The doctor there told me that I should not worry, and that the ekg looked good to her.  The following weekend Heart Smart was ofering a great deal on Cardiovascular screening.  I jumped at it, and now here I am.  So, does anyone know about regurgitation in mitral, and tricuspid valves?  I did figure that if it were a serious thing, the palce that did the test would have recommended that I see a doctor ASAP.  They did not.  I just have these results to show my doctor when I go again. I'd ;ove some input from others, who may know what I'm talking about. I'm truing so hard not to be an alarmist.  I also have diabetes, and about 30 pounds to get rid of.

[beckys_4]

MY 18 yr son was brought in to the hospital ER where I work about 2 months with chest pain. X-ray and blood work can back normal. He was hooked up to a 12-lead EKG monitor while he was there and I have worked for a Cardiologist long to know his rhythm was off. He was abnormal beats and they didnt seem to be concerned. I got his PCP to order a echo and a upper GI. Upper GI is normal but the Echo showed Mild Mitral and Tricuspid Regurgitation. He is football player and is determined he is going to continue to play. I am worried about him putting too much stress on his heart. I dont want him to exert himself. I am scheduling his cardiologist appt ASAP so he can get started on medication treatment. My father died at 40 of a massive heart attack and he was morbidly obese. As well as a diabetic and having thyroid disease. I have Hypothyroidism and a nonexistent metabolism and a low heart heart. I am worried for my son. He loves football but I dont think he should play anymore. I feel it will be too stressful on him. What type of activities will he be able to do having this?

[nancywyg]

Thank you Yvette for your response!  The place that did the "echo" sent me the results.  I know that they expect people to follow up with a visit to their own physicans.  I have just gotton new insurance, and it will go into effect on 11/1. I made an appt. with a primary care doctor, and I will take the test results to him, along with the results of the last ekg from the clinic.  I go to see him on the 5th of Nov.  I suppose that if there is a problem, he will refer me to a cardiologist.  I certainly will ask to be referred!  I am 61 years old, btw. Menopause was 9 years ago for me.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!  I  hope you enjoyed your day.  I do know that I will aggressivly follow up on this, as I am a nervous wreck, just brimming with, "what ifs", and "must be's".  I had a hard time thinking of what needed to be done today, and have felt "off" all day!  As far as whether or not the condition is minimal or moderate, I don't know.  There are numbers next to the "yes" checks.  I do not know what they mean. Everything else was a "no".  I thank you again for your input,

[Yvette BG]

Hi Nancy,

Did they tell you whether they consider the mitral and tricuspid regurgitation to be mild or moderate?
If it's mild, depending on what else is going on with your heart, they may just have you take medicine and monitor it with regular echocardiograms, etc. You don't state your age, but I know for me, there have been confusing and conflicting heart diagnoses over the years. (Had a heart catherization when I was 14; I turn 50 tomorrow). Remember that technology has come a long, long way--thank goodness! Sometimes I wonder if we're comparing apples to oranges. Can you get to a major cardiac center and get fully checked out to see exactly what you're dealing with heart-wise? I think that's what I would do.

On the normal EKGs, I must've had 20 EKGs over the years and only 1 was abnormal (during an exercise stress test). My doctor did say that when women are approaching menopause, EKGs can change/be positive and be nonspecific.    

Good luck. Please keep us posted as to what you find out.